Two local brewers get their due with beer dinners, food and beads galore in Rehoboth, and more.

From James Street: "Over the years, the Folie à Deux portfolio of elite, small-production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Amador County Zinfandel appear on the wine lists of America's finest restaurants. Recent varietal additions to the Folie a Deux portfolio have allowed them to continue their tradition of innovation."

Tickets cost $55 (not including gratuity), and the party gets underway at 6 p.m. Call the Tavern at 998-6903 to reserve.

The fine folks at James Street have also rolled out a new everyday menu, a combo of delicious new pub cuisine and some JST favorites. You can check it out here.

Wednesday, March 2: If you have a better plan for an evening than Twin Lakes beer and McGlynns Pub burgers, I'd like to hear it.

In the meantime, head to McGlynns' Peoples Plaza location Wednesday night at 6:30 for a six-course beer dinner. Admission runs $40 per person, and more info can be had by ringing 834-6661.

Among many other beer varieties, Twin Lakes will be serving tastings of Greenville Pale Ale and Taylor's Grog.

Thursday, March 3: Whoa, whoa, whoa, fellas. Is it the Stone Balloon Wine House or the Stone Balloon Beer House? (See what I did there?)

Beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, the Wine House becomes the Beer House for an evening when it welcomes Dogfish Head honcho Claus Hagelman for a night of great beer and great food. The Dogfish Head Beer Dinner runs $59 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 266-8111.

Here’s what SBW Jason Dietterick is planning, with accompanying beers linked to their official DFH profile page:

Friday, March 4-Tuesday, March 8: Big weekend ahead in downtown Rehoboth Beach, as the town will celebrate two of its coolest food events simultaneously: Rehoboth Beach Mardi Gras and the Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival.

First up, Mardi Gras, which gets underway Friday and runs through Fat Tuesday. Downtown restaurants will honor N'awlins tradition with New Orleans cuisine and Cajun cooking, Bourbon Street beverages, and general partying with live music and tons of plastic, clothes-peeling beads. Expect lots o' beignets, po’ boys, and étouffée.

On Sunday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., a dozen downtown restaurants will participate in a town-wide gumbo competition. Here's how it works: pop into the Rehoboth Main Street office and pick up a ballot for $5. Then stop by each participating restaurant to have a taste of gumbo. Savor the flavor and vote for your favorite. Easy peasy.

Meanwhile, Saturday, March 5 is the 21st Annual Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival. From the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, a gigantic collection of restaurateurs, bakers, chocolatiers and home cooks will gather for one big smörgåsbord of chocolate.

On the docket are the annual baking contest, vendors, raffles, kids games and much more. For a detailed rundown, click here.

Tastings start at 11:30 a.m. and last until the chocolate runs out or 3:30 pm. Admission is only $2 and entry tastings are 50 cents apiece.